The effects of microplastics (MPs) on soil microbial
Research gap analysis derived from 6 agriculture papers in our local library.
The gap
The effects of microplastics (MPs) on soil microbial communities and antimicrobial resistance genes are not well understood.
Evidence profile
Sourced from the future-work section and stated research gap and abstract and limitations section of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2024 and 2026, spanning 6 journals. Those papers have been cited 491 times in total.
Research trend
Established — well-defined area with open sub-problems.
Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps
- Microbial metabolism influences microplastic perturbation of dissolved organic matter in agricultural soils (2024) · The ISME Journal · cited 107× · doi
Further research is needed to investigate the effects of microplastic pollution on agricultural soils. Further research is needed to examine the microbial transformation of dissolved organic matter released by microplastics. Further research is needed to develop strategies for managing microplastic pollution in agricultural soils.
generalfuture-work sectionKeywords: further research needed investigate effects microplastic pollution agricultural - Microbial metabolism influences microplastic perturbation of dissolved organic matter in agricultural soils (2024) · The ISME Journal · cited 107× · doi
The fate and composition of dissolved organic matter released from microplastics is not well understood. The effects of microplastic pollution on dissolved organic matter in agricultural soils are not well understood. The study aims to address this knowledge gap.
generalstated research gapKeywords: fate composition dissolved organic matter released microplastics well - Soil Matrix Modulates Polystyrene Microplastic Toxicity to Eisenia fetida: From Acute Lethality to Oxidative Genotoxicity (2026) · Current Issues in Molecular Biology · doi
Microplastic (MP) contamination in soils has raised widespread concern, yet the extent to which soil matrices regulate MP toxicity remains insufficiently characterized.
generalabstractevidence 5/5Keywords: microplastic contamination soils raised widespread concern extent soil matrices regulate toxicity remains insufficiently characterized - Soil viral–host interactions regulate microplastic-dependent carbon storage (2024) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · cited 74× · doi
Microplastic is globally regarded as an important factor impacting biogeochemical cycles, yet our understanding of such influences is limited by the uncertainties of intricate microbial processes.
generalabstractevidence 4/5Keywords: microplastic globally regarded important factor impacting biogeochemical cycles understanding influences limited uncertainties intricate microbial processes - RETRACTED: Adverse impacts of microplastics on soil physicochemical properties and crop health in agricultural systems (2024) · Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances · cited 37× · doi
This review not only synthesizes current knowledge but also identifies significant knowledge gaps in understanding how microplastics interact with soil properties, microbial communities, and agricultural crops.
generalabstractevidence 4/5Keywords: knowledge review synthesizes current identifies significant gaps understanding microplastics interact soil properties microbial communities agricultural - Interactions among Heavy Metals, Microplastics and Pesticides in Soil and Advances in Microbial Remediation (2026) · Journal of Innovation and Development · doi
Further research is needed to develop effective and sustainable remediation approaches for composite pollution. Studies should investigate the effects of microplastics on pesticide bioavailability and toxicity. Research should focus on optimizing interactions among different functional microorganisms for microbial remediation.
generalfuture-work sectionevidence 4/5Keywords: further research needed develop effective sustainable remediation approaches - Interactions among Heavy Metals, Microplastics and Pesticides in Soil and Advances in Microbial Remediation (2026) · Journal of Innovation and Development · doi
The underlying mechanisms governing the interactions among heavy metals, microplastics, and pesticides remain poorly understood. Research on microbial remediation of heavy metal-microplastic-pesticide composite pollution is still in its early stages. Maintaining microbial stability under complex environmental conditions is a key challenge.
generallimitations sectionevidence 4/5Keywords: underlying mechanisms governing interactions among heavy metals microplastics - Microplastic diversity increases the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil (2024) · Nature Communications · cited 166× · doi
The effects of microplastics (MPs) on soil microbial communities and antimicrobial resistance genes are not well understood.
generalabstractevidence 3/5Keywords: effects microplastics soil microbial communities antimicrobial resistance genes well understood
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